Capital Cities Hit

Explosions in India and Pakistan’s capital cities killed at least 20 people.

Context

India and Pakistan have a long history of accusing each other of supporting militant attacks. The two countries fought a brief but intense conflict earlier this year after terrorists killed 26 people in India-administered Kashmir in April, with India blaming Pakistan for the attack. The nuclear-armed rivals exchanged airstrikes before agreeing to a ceasefire. After that attack, India's government warned it would treat any future terrorist attack on its soil as an "act of war."

New Delhi Car Explosion

On Monday evening, a car exploded near a metro station by New Delhi's historic Red Fort, killing eight people and injuring at least 20 others. The blast set several nearby vehicles on fire and occurred during evening rush hour in one of the capital's busiest areas.

Such attacks are rare in India, particularly in Delhi.

Investigation Underway

Police said the car had three or four passengers, all of whom died in the explosion. They have not yet determined what caused the blast; however, the explosion came on the same day that Indian police said they had dismantled a terror network linked to Jaish-e-Mohammed, a Pakistan-based militant group that has conducted many attacks against India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said of the explosion, "All those responsible will be brought to justice."

Islamabad Suicide Bombing

Separately, on Tuesday, a suicide bomber detonated explosives outside a courthouse in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad, killing 12 people and injuring dozens more.

Pakistan’s interior minister said the attacker attempted to enter the court building but detonated the bomb near a police vehicle when unable to get inside. The blast occurred around noon local time, when the courts were packed with visitors attending hearings.

Pakistan faces multiple insurgencies, most notably one being waged by the Pakistani Taliban (TTP), which Pakistan alleges is harbored by Afghanistan and backed by India. The TTP frequently conducts attacks in Pakistan but rarely in Islamabad.